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Original poster

HELP WITH MATERNITY LEAVE

10 replies

Nas232 · 08/02/2025 02:20

Hi

I hope everyone is well

I wanted some help with my maternity leave has ended I work at retail and was doing morning shift as I have a child age 7 at the time then had a little boy a year ago
now I return back to work and my new manager is saying he will not be able to give me morning shift as I have been away for one year and we have had the space filled in he also don’t want to do set date this effect me due to my child eldest having adhd working evenings also clash with school pick up my family live far away and I am a single mum .

any advice will be helpful

OP posts:
Deebee90 · 08/02/2025 06:33

You need to apply for a flexible working request. Sadly because you took the additional maternity leave your employer only has to give you your job back. Doesn’t need to be the same days or times etc.

HollyLondoner · 08/02/2025 06:37

@Nas232 ah what a twat! Unfortunately they don't have to give you your exact job back after a year which is rubbish.

Have a look at m&s. They advertise their jobs with the exact shift you will be doing ie morning hours/ evenings etc.

I hope you find something! You can always say you will have to quit if you don't have the hour you need which may give them a kick up the bum and in the meantime get hunting for something else!

Original poster
Nas232 · 09/02/2025 05:22

Thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
Nas232 · 09/02/2025 05:26

Yes best thing will be hunting Thank you @HollyLondoner just a shame he is a new manager and with this being my first time being on maternity I was a bit confused on how things work x

OP posts:
rwalker · 09/02/2025 06:19

HollyLondoner · 08/02/2025 06:37

@Nas232 ah what a twat! Unfortunately they don't have to give you your exact job back after a year which is rubbish.

Have a look at m&s. They advertise their jobs with the exact shift you will be doing ie morning hours/ evenings etc.

I hope you find something! You can always say you will have to quit if you don't have the hour you need which may give them a kick up the bum and in the meantime get hunting for something else!

It’s not about being a twat ultimately the manager has to have his staff in when the business needs them

Original poster
Nas232 · 10/02/2025 03:03

@rwalker i understand someone had to fill the space in and take over that time but i think not allowing to give me a set day of the week is really what’s the problem for me I understand he just wants to fill me in where he needs it would of just been easier if he could of just said okay you will be working Monday to Thursday so I would be knowing these are the day I work instead of just putting me where he feels like and Rotas changing every week so till it’s not Sunday I don’t know what days I’m working now but thank you

OP posts:
PinkFrogss · 10/02/2025 07:16

How long had you worked there before and was it a formal arrangement?

If you have been on maternity for less than 6 months you are entitled to the exact same role on your return. If more than 6 months you are entitled to another role on the same terms and conditions. You could try and argue that if you had worked those shifts for a long time that having different shifts on no set schedule is a change to your terms and conditions based on custom and practice, if there was previously no formal agreement (such as a flexible working request).

Do many other employees work set shifts the way you used to?

I would recommend Maternity Action for full advice.

prh47bridge · 10/02/2025 07:32

It is true that your employer does not have to give you your original job back if you take more than 6 months maternity leave. However, they must give you your job back if it still exists (or would have if you hadn't taken maternity leave). If your job was specifically a shop assistant (say) on the morning shift, they must put you back on the morning shift. However, if you were a shop assistant who just happened to always work the morning shift, they can move you to a different shift.

Original poster
Nas232 · 11/02/2025 02:13

@PinkFrogss hey hope your well
I’ve worked the same shift from 6am to 12pm for 4 years before I went on maternity even during my pregnancy they did not change my shift while doing delivery and is loading and unloading there is only the manager and another person on fixed days but not the other 12 including me I have been on maternity for 1 year now and he don’t want to tell me what times he will put me on as I’ve messaged him keeps saying we will talk about it when you are in that’s next week .

OP posts:
Original poster
Nas232 · 11/02/2025 02:21

@prh47bridge
my contract doesn’t say that but my previous manager when hired me told me it would be morning shifts from 6-12 and ever since it’s just always been that time for 4 years then I left for maternity even during my pregnancy they didn’t ask do I want a different shift and it was heavy loading items i did it for 8 months and 3 weeks before I left on maternity.

I understand that maybe my manager cannot provide me morning shifts but would be nice if he could just be like ok you will work Monday Tuesday Wednesday so I can arrange childcare but he want me to start work so he can talk to me

OP posts:
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